Kevin and his companions didn't stop running until they were well clear of Privet Drive. The two younger ones trailing behind were exhausted, and even Harry—perched on Kevin's shoulder—looked worn out.
"Alright… I think we're safe now," Kevin said, setting Harry down.
Harry caught his breath, then asked, "Kevin, what on earth just happened?"
"Did you see that house-elf? Dobby?"
Harry's expression darkened instantly. "Him again? What's he done this time?"
"He put up a magical barrier around your bedroom—cut you off from the outside world. Said there's a terrible plot at Hogwarts this year, and he was 'protecting' you by keeping you trapped."
Kevin explained everything, including how Dobby had intercepted Harry's letters.
"That's ridiculous!" Harry burst out. "He did the same last time I saw him—made me take the blame for dropping a cake on someone's head. He never explains anything properly!"
"House-elves… they're bound by powerful magic and can't directly go against the oaths they've sworn," Kevin said calmly. "Maybe he means well. But honestly—Voldemort himself was at Hogwarts last year. What plot could possibly be worse than that?"
Ron and Hermione exchanged a look. That was a fair point.
Kevin shrugged. "Anyway, let's not dwell on it. Percy's picking us up in his dad's flying car."
The Weasley home was too far from the city to reach by ordinary means. Soon, they reached the agreed meeting point, where a light-blue Ford Anglia waited.
Percy, looking every bit the responsible older brother, waved them over.
"Long time no see, Harry, Kevin, Hermione. How was your holiday?"
They greeted him, though Harry's mood remained sour.
"Don't you know what happened to Harry?" Ron muttered.
Percy only shrugged and motioned for them to get in.
Kevin, Hermione, and Harry had never ridden in a flying car before.
The moment Percy took off and engaged the invisibility enchantment, the vehicle shimmered and vanished from the street—unnoticed by passing Muggles thanks to a Confundus Charm.
As the car lifted into the sky, Kevin instinctively grabbed Hermione's hand. Floating above the clouds felt unnervingly unreal to him, his stomach churning at every jolt.
Hermione noticed and leaned closer, gently resting her head against him.
Ron and Harry smirked at the sight of usually composed Kevin looking uneasy—but after a moment, the affectionate way Kevin and Hermione stayed close became a bit much for the three bachelors in the car.
To distract himself, Harry asked Ron about what he'd missed over the summer.
After nearly two hours of flying, the Burrow came into view—a lopsided, many-storied house rising out of a patchwork of green fields.
Chickens pecked in the yard, hay was piled near the shed, and a small pond glimmered in the sunlight.
Inside, the Burrow was cramped but cosy. Every surface was filled with something—books, teapots, jars of potion ingredients—but it was all neatly organised.
"Welcome to the Burrow," Percy said warmly.
Footsteps thundered down the stairs—Fred and George burst into the room, followed by a shy, red-haired girl.
"Welcome, Harry, Kevin, Hermione!"
"That's Ginny," Ron said.
Ginny smiled shyly at Harry, her eyes lingering on him.
Kevin, meanwhile, remembered exactly how the year ahead would play out. He knew Lucius Malfoy would slip Tom Riddle's diary into Ginny's cauldron, leading to the attacks at Hogwarts.
He could stop it—destroy the diary, or hand it to Dumbledore—but doing so might change events he couldn't predict. For now, his priority was Hermione's safety.
He had already brewed enough Mandrake Restorative Draught to counter any petrifications. Ginny's rescue, he knew, would be Harry's moment.
"Mum's out shopping," Fred told Percy. "Big dinner tonight. Dad's at the Ministry—something about surprise inspections of wizarding homes."
Ron explained that his father worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office.
Soon the twins' lively banter filled the room, and Kevin, Hermione, and Harry found themselves relaxing into the Burrow's warm, chaotic atmosphere.
That evening, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrived home. Molly Weasley swept Harry, Kevin, and Hermione into warm hugs, then bustled into the kitchen.
Pots, pans, and the stove all began cooking themselves under her wand's guidance, filling the house with delicious smells.
Harry and Hermione watched in amazement—it was the first time they'd seen such magical cooking in person.
Kevin, ever the polite guest, joined Mr. Weasley in conversation, asking about Ministry work and telling him about Muggle inventions.
When Kevin presented him with a small brass compass, Arthur's eyes lit up. He turned it over in his hands, fascinated.
By the time dinner was served, Arthur had an arm around Kevin's shoulder, laughing as if they'd been friends for years.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron exchanged glances. Somehow, Kevin always knew exactly how to win adults over.